Barrie Out of the Cold Shifts

Volunteers are placed on shifts as vacancies occur. Please scroll down this page for a full description of each shift. Some volunteers have been involved with the program since its inception in 1998. But at the beginning of each season, there are usually vacancies on all the shifts. The two earlier shifts fill up quite quickly but we always have a special need for volunteers who can assist us on the overnight or early morning shift.

You are not limited to helping on only one shift or at one church. If there is not sufficient room on the application form to indicate what you want to do please email us or call us at 331-1396.

If there are no vacancies on the shift/church you request, we recommend that you either choose another shift or location or help us as a volunteer "spare". You can learn more about being a spare here


Barrie Out of the Cold operates seven days per week from mid November until the end of April. The program moves about the six host churches. Guests arrive at 6 pm and depart at 7.30 am the next day. Volunteers arrive for the first shift at 5 pm.

Days of operation and where it happens:
Monday: St. Andrew's Presbyterian
Tuesday: Bethel
Wednesday: St. Mary's
Thurdsay: Barrie Free Methodist
Friday: Central United
Saturday and Sunday: Collier Street United

First Shift ~ 5:00 PM until 8:00 Pm

You and your team set up the tables and chairs, serve a buffet style meal to our guests, and do all the associated clean up. The meal makers on the team deliver hot food and desserts to the church between 5 and 5.30 pm. If desired, those helping on this shift may help to provide food for the meal. (please indicate your desire to do so on your application form)

Second Shift ~ 8:00 PM until 11:00 PM

You and your team spend the evening socializing with & supervising our guests. Our guests enjoy playing cards, chatting, watching a movie. This shift also prepares snacks, keeps the kitchen clean, helps guests prepare for the night by setting out sleeping mats and blankets.

Third Shift ~ 11:00 PM until 6:00 AM

You and your team, spend the night ensuring the guests have a restful night's sleep in a safe and secure environment.

Fourth Shift ~ 6:00 AM until 8:00 AM

(Please note that this shift happens on the next day)
You and your team prepare a nutritious breakfast for our guests, clean and disinfect the mats; bag up the blankets ready for the laundry pick up; clean the space used by Out of the Cold; store everything away and leave the church premises clean and tidy.